Texas Ranger impersonator gets probation

Updated 10:44 pm, Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Republic of Texas member Gregory Brent Davis claimed to be a Ranger at charity rodeo event, bank.

Republic of Texas member Gregory Brent Davis claimed to be a Ranger at charity rodeo event, bank.

Texas Ranger impersonator gets probation

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A member of a Texas separatist group who was twice arrested for impersonating a Texas Ranger agreed Wednesday to begin serving probation.

Gregory Brent Davis, a 62-year-old member of the Republic of Texas, also agreed to pay a $1,250 fine and complete 200 hours of community service as part of his plea agreements for impersonating a public servant and unlawfully carrying a handgun.

Republic of Texas members believe that Texas never legally joined the United States and hope for a peaceful return to national sovereignty, according to the group's website.

Davis initially was arrested at a charity rodeo event in July 2011 while wearing a silver badge that said “Ranger” and carrying a Colt Model 1911 pistol in a leather holster, according to court documents.

When approached by Helotes Police Chief Robert Hunley, Davis identified himself as “Col. Gregory Davis, director of Rangers” and “claimed he was asked to assist with security at the event,” authorities noted.

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Suspicious after listening to “several extreme boasts and unbelievable claims regarding his tour of duty in Vietnam,” Hunley contacted an actual Texas Ranger who confirmed Davis was not among the agency's ranks.

Davis later failed to make a court appearance, prompting a second arrest, this time by San Antonio police.

Officers followed him to a bank where Davis made a transaction while wearing the badge, with a gun on his hip. He told the officers that he had “paperwork giving him authority as a Ranger,” court documents state.

Davis was set to go to trial in the 379th state District Court in May, but the proceedings were postponed after he twice refused to change from his jail scrubs into clothes provided to him by his attorney, according to court records.